FURTHER SIGNINGS BOOST THE SEAGULLS SQUAD AHEAD OF THE NEW SEASON

Not wanting to rest on his laurels Macca and his team have been working hard with the signing of four players this week to continue the reinforcing of the squad, ahead of this weekends league opening match.

Forward Jake Reid has re-signed to the club for the coming season. Jake joined the Seagulls from Chelmsford last season and is a formidable presence on the team sheet. In addition to retaining Jake the club has also made three additions to the squad.

The paperwork has been completed to bring midfielder Jay Malpas to the Woodspring, Malpas is a central midfielder who progressed through the Bristol Rovers academy, spending a short spell on loan at Chippenham Town at the start of 2016 to help with their promotion push in the Southern Premier. Malpas is also capable of playing down the right-side of midfield and as a No.10 behind the strikers.

Giancarlo Gabbiadini is an 18 year-old left winger or striker who has represented Forest Green Rovers’ academy and has also played for England Colleges. The 2015-16 season saw him net over 30 goals by November, and after being guided by former Weston head coach Scott Bartlett and a successful trial he has penned a deal with Weston for 2017-18.

Finally for now a striker in the form of Shaquille Hunter. The 21 year-old winger made his Bristol Rovers debut at the age of 17 when featuring in a 2-1 defeat to Exeter City in August 2013. After being released in December of that year, he took time out until September 2014 when he went to Mangotsfield United. Hunter then made the move to Bristol City, albeit the spell being a brief one. Shaquille spent the 2016-17 season with Bath City, making 28 league appearances and scoring four goals. He left this summer, before having successful trials with the Seagulls this pre-season.

Assistant coach Rob Boyd commented, “the signing of these four players builds on the strength in our squad, in addition to opening up a lot of options for the gaffer, especially in the attacking areas on the pitch. They have shown they can work hard on the training ground and on the pitch in the matches they have played in since we have started in pre-season.”